Naturi Naughton: From 3LW to Cheetah Girls Snub

Remember the early 2000s girl group 3LW? Well, one of its members, Naturi Naughton-Lewis, is opening up about some of the toughest moments from her music career and how she’s finally found peace. From a surprising revelation about Disney’s ‘The Cheetah Girls’ to a heartwarming reconnection with former bandmate Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Naturi is ready to embrace her past.

Healing Through Forgiveness and Friendship

Naturi recently shared on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio that reconnecting with Adrienne Bailon-Houghton has been a huge part of her healing process. After years of distance following their tumultuous time in 3LW, the two women met for dinner about two years ago. This meeting allowed them to finally have the honest conversation they needed since their teenage years.

“We were kids,” Naturi explained, emphasizing that the adults around them should have provided more guidance. She added, “Once I got a chance to really talk to Adrienne and reconnect, forgiveness started. We’re now both wives and mothers, and forgiveness is the biggest thing for healing.” This renewed friendship has brought unexpected joy, including a spontaneous performance of their 3LW hit, ‘No More (Baby I’ma Do Right),’ at Adrienne’s Thanksgiving party.

The ‘Cheetah Girls’ Snub: A Shocking Revelation

In a surprising turn, Naturi revealed that 3LW was originally considered for Disney’s ‘The Cheetah Girls.’ The plan was for the girl group, along with Raven-Symoné, to star in the movie. However, Naturi was deliberately excluded from the deal by her group’s manager, who attended the meeting without her.

She recounted how her groupmates later informed her that Disney wanted to offer 3LW a deal for ‘The Cheetah Girls,’ but she wouldn’t be part of it. This news was devastating at the time, marking the beginning of her being ‘X-ed out.’ Despite the initial hurt and resentment, Naturi now sees it as a form of divine redirection, allowing her a clean slate for future roles, like playing Lil’ Kim in ‘Notorious.’

Embracing the Past, Teasing the Future

Naturi has been open about the trauma she experienced during her time in 3LW, including the physical altercation that led to her departure in 2002. She plans to return to music soon, potentially addressing some of those past feelings. However, she’s learned to focus on gratitude rather than grief.

“Forgiveness is healing,” she stated, noting that she can now happily revisit her 3LW days. While a full 3LW tour isn’t confirmed, Naturi is more open than ever to celebrating the group’s legacy. She teased, ‘We might pop out. A little throwback never hurt nobody.’